Q&A: Deuce of 101.5 WPDH

Metromix chatted with the ever-popular Deuce, of WPDH, about how he'd like to get Sarah Silverman's digits and why the Golden Girls party more than he does.

How did you get your radio name?
Well, my human name is Scotty, and when I was interning at WPDH, the producer of the morning show and I had the same name. Obviously, this was far too confusing to allow, so they called me Deuce, as in Scotty No. 2.

How did you get into the radio biz?
I was attending Marist College and I was looking for an internship. I've always really liked the idea of talk radio. I figured I'd give a radio internship a shot and I really enjoyed it. I was lucky enough to get a job with WPDH after my internship ended.

What is one of the most bizarre things you have heard when someone called into the radio station?
I'm always amazed that drunk people call radio shows at 6:15 in the morning. I'm not sure if they're just starting to drink or if they're still drunk from the night before. Either way, I always think that if I was as devoted to anything as these people are to drinking, I could be way more successful. I was once cursed at and told that I was a soldier in a conspiracy to control the media. I was honored that someone thought I had that much power.
 
If you could interview any celebrity, who would it be and why?
I always wanted to talk to George Carlin. I think he's kind of the Mark Twain of the modern era. Of the living celebrities, I think I'd like to talk to Jimmy Kimmel. He started in radio the same way I did and has been pretty successful as a writer, producer, creator and obviously as a talk show host. And if nothing else, maybe I could get Sarah Silverman's number out of his Blackberry.

Do you listen to any other radio stations outside of WPDH?
Mostly podcasts. I also listen to a lot of WFMU, which is a non-commercial station out of New Jersey. And obviously I listen to my buddy Shmonty's Local Lockdown on WRRV for local music.

Is there one particular song that you rather not hear?
I think that "Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger is the artistic equivalent of the Hindenburg disaster.

Ever actually spin a record?
I took my parents' turntable back in high school and have had a ridiculous record-buying habit ever since. My friends make fun of me for it. Bands like The White Stripes really do sound incredible on vinyl and they put a lot of effort into the packaging. There's a lot more potential with the huge LP sleeves than there is with iTunes downloads and CDs.

What are your hobbies outside of music?
I love comedy. Writing, watching, performing. I've recently been trying to get into stand up and getting a podcast off the ground. I love movies. I’m a huge sports fan, basketball especially. I'm a curious person, so I just like to learn a lot, too.

What do most people not know about you?
I played Oliver Twist in my school play in the 6th grade. My mom bribed my 12-year-old self to audition with tickets to some dumb wrestling show at the Civic Center. Got the part, never got the tickets. They must have gotten lost in the mail.

You have your own Podcast. What's that all about?
Yeah, it's at deuceradio.com. I'm trying to get started with weekly podcasts. Sometimes, it's tough to juggle everything. I basically tried to do a show that I would find funny. I love working on commercial radio, but I kind of get to be my own boss on the podcast and develop a unique audience that's into what I'm into. I think podcasting is the closest thing we have to pirate radio today. You can pretty much say whatever you want.

What is your favorite local bar or hot spot?
Probably Darby O'Gill's. I don't get a chance to go out as much as I'd like to. Getting up early to work on the morning show has already turned me into an old man and I'm only 21. Whichever Golden Girls are still alive probably get to bars more regularly than I do at this point.

Ever go to work with a hangover?
My job really is during the hangover shift, isn't it? I don't think anyone under 25 with a job that starts before noon has dodged working with a hangover. But I don't think it counts if I got away with it without anyone noticing.

Any words of wisdom for your ever-growing fan base?
I've never really thought of myself as someone with fans, but if they exist, thanks and I love you. Both of you. As for words of wisdom: peanut butter on the bread, jelly on the peanut butter. None of this jelly-on-the-bread nonsense. You'll thank me.

What do you think of the Hudson Valley nightlife scene?
Pretty much anywhere you go, you can find a place that will appeal to you. It's always amazing to me how many bars and places to go we have. I've lived here my entire life and I constantly hear about places I've never seen or been to before.

What makes the Hudson Valley unique from other Metromix areas like Detroit, Chicago and New York City?
We are way more community based. It's pretty cool. You'll probably know someone wherever you go. It's like a giant episode of Cheers. I guess you also have to be on your best behavior because pretty much everyone in the area knows someone you know.